Lifelong democrat, as is his family Link. Ran for office several times as a democrat. Worked on campaigns of democrats. I honestly wish it was as simple as "all bad people are republicans, and all good people are democrats", but it isn't.

Phelps may be "officially" be a Democrat, but he's as much as an actual Democrat in the same way he is "officially" a Christian but doesn't actually embody positive Christian values.

Lifelong democrat, as is his family Link. Ran for office several times as a democrat. Worked on campaigns of democrats. I honestly wish it was as simple as "all bad people are republicans, and all good people are democrats", but it isn't.

I was going to come in here to say that the WBC is a bunch of idiots, but after reading a few comments, it's clear that even they still pale in comparison to the better part of the population of Fark. Seriously, you all are still using the rather derogatory "teabaggers" name, and you expect people who disagree with you to take you seriously? It's clear that you aren't interested in debate, it's either agree with you or you'll start name calling. You can't ever make the WBC look good, but boy, you all are truly exceptional at making yourselves look bad.

bemused outsider ...and they need the free publicity, because of... Why?/ignore these turds.

I am all for ignoring the demonstrations, but let's focus on the people. We all know Freddy and his crazy relation spokeswoman that shine in the sun. But there members of the community that take part in these things. And if I have reading body language right, the way they cover up during photos they are not in it for the press. They probably see the Phelps as family still.

For instance one is a aerobics instructor in the YMCA in Topeka Kansas. Someone local needs to handout fliers. I think other work in the fringes of law enforcement. I bet that would be a issue dividing the law enforcement community in Topeka, Kansas.

If people were to know that some of these people drive specific colored cars with specific license plates, that would be of knowledge to the the local population in Topeka.

Can we agree don't give the protesters attention, but lets give the members of the active members of the family attention in the community like they deserve.

randomjsa:<b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035288#c82035288" target="_blank">Weaver95</a>:</b> <i>how sad and pathetic do you have to be to show up and protest Obama and not even the gotdamn tea baggers come out and support you...?</i>

Comparing the Tea Party to WBC would be akin to comparing OWS to Brown Shirts by the way.

meat0918:<b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035511#c82035511" target="_blank">Gosling</a>:</b> <i><b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035463#c82035463" target="_blank">KiwDaWabbit</a>:</b> <i>Weaver, the KKK came out against them in the wake of the Sandy Hill massacre. The KKK. They were the voice of reason.

Anyway, I hope everyone here signed the petition to classify them as a hate group at whitehouse.gov.</i>

Time expired on it on the 13th. It hit <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/legally-recognize-west boro-baptist-church-hate-group/DYf3pH2d" target="_blank">327,748 signatures</a>. It set a site record.</i>

Hasn't the SPLC designated them as such already?

They have. And the Feds don't keep a list of hate groups, so the petition is essentially meaningless.

randomjsa:<b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035288#c82035288" target="_blank">Weaver95</a>:</b> <i>how sad and pathetic do you have to be to show up and protest Obama and not even the gotdamn tea baggers come out and support you...?</i>

Comparing the Tea Party to WBC would be akin to comparing OWS to Brown Shirts by the way.

WBC is universally despised by all sides left, right, and center.

Generally I would agree, however on the 'Obama is the antichrist' stance there is a whole lot of overlap.

<b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035530#c82035530" target="_blank">KiwDaWabbit</a>:</b> <i>Gosling, it has been intermittent from what I have seen. It works for some and doesn't work for others. Weird.</i>

Well, in any case, while I'm at the petition site, it appears one of the other petitions to cross the now-expired 25K threshold was calling for the White House to call for Obama's impeachment.

Key quote from the <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/short-answer-no-keep-r eading" target="_blank">response:</a> "So the short answer is that we won't be calling for the President's impeachment -- and given the fact that you made your appeal to the White House itself, we doubt you were holding your breath waiting for our support."

<b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035288#c82035288" target="_blank">Weaver95</a>:</b> <i>how sad and pathetic do you have to be to show up and protest Obama and not even the gotdamn tea baggers come out and support you...?</i>

Your basic premise is wrong. Westboro regularly protests the military that the teabaggers are so fond of.

<b><a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/7547913/82035288#c82035288" target="_blank">Weaver95</a>:</b> <i>how sad and pathetic do you have to be to show up and protest Obama and not even the gotdamn tea baggers come out and support you...?</i>

Comparing the Tea Party to WBC would be akin to comparing OWS to Brown Shirts by the way.